Ranked Choice Voting in Washington

The voters of Pierce County used Ranked Choice Voting to elect their County Executive, County Council and other county level officers in 2008. This site discusses the Ranked Choice Voting races in Pierce County as well as other jurisdictions considering RCV around the state of Washington.

Sunday, September 30, 2007

Charter Amendments on the Ballot in November

As an author of some of the November 2007 voters' pamphlet, I received an advance copy of pamphlet in the mail on Saturday. There is something distinctly odd in the pamphlet.

The Pierce County Council put eight proposed Charter Amendments on the November ballot. Four of the proposed amendments (#1, 2, 3 and 8) have neither a "for" nor an "against" statement in the pamphlet. In addition, proposed charter amendment #4 has no "for" statement, only an "against" statement. The idea that the County Council would put on the ballot proposals which no one was willing to write in favor of passage strikes me as good cause for voting No on these amendments.

Proposed amendments 6 and 7 had "for" arguments written for them, but no "against" arguments. While this does not always mean these are good proposals, I favor both of them and recommend a Yes on these two proposals.

Proposed amendment 5 was the only one with both a "for" statement and an "against" statement. This amendment is not a bad one, but proposal 6 is superior. The County Council should have made this choice themselves. I recommend a No vote on amendment 5.

Friday, September 14, 2007

Councilmember Terry Lee to run for Assessor-Treasurer

According the the Tacoma News Tribune, Pierce County Councilmember Terry Lee has decided to drop out of the race for County Executive in 2008 and run for County Assessor-Treasurer.

Below is the press release.

PRESS RELEASE

14 September 2007

Terry Lee, Chair of the Pierce County Council, announces he is withdrawing from the 2008 Pierce County Executive's race to enter the Pierce County's Assessor/Treasurer race for 2008.

Lee, a longtime public servant in land use and an outspoken advocate for private property rights, feels the Assessors's office is a good fit as he looks to continue to serve the citizens of Pierce County.

Details about campaign committee makeup and kick-off events will be forthcoming.

CONTACT: Electterrylee@aol.com, 253-857-5478

This leaves the Republicans with only one announced candidate for County Executive, Councilmember Shawn Bunney. This leaves more room for Pat McCarthy, Mike Lonergan and John Mills to enter the race.

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

California Passes Local Option IRV bill

The California State Assembly has passed local option IRV bill (AB 1294). It has also passed the State Senate now. This bill would allow local jurisdictions such as cities and counties to elect their public officials using IRV.

Ballot Access News writes this is the first time such legislation has passed one of the state houses.